I've purchased a vintage handmade fiddle and the f holes are completely different on both sides. Does this make the value and playability go down for the instrument? It's really noticeable and I don't know what to do now?

Fiddlerman

Fort Lauderdale

December 16, 2016 - 12:31 pm

Member Since: September 26, 2010

Forum Posts: 13165

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Don't worry violin1000,
It's not a problem. It doesn't bring down the value in my opinion either. Guarneri was known for making differences between f-holes as a matter of fact. It kind of makes it look a bit more hand made. 🙂
If it really bothers you, you can perhaps alter one of the thinner, smaller, whatever, f-holes to match the other.
The Ole Bull is famous for this issue.
The sound is possibly not affected but could be affected either way. Better or worse.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."